Event Planner
Salary

Women comprise the majority of Event Planners in the United States. Individuals in this line of work make around $44K annually on average. Total cash incomes of Event Planners run from $28K to $73K, depending on bonuses that can occasionally exceed $6K, profit sharing that reaches $13K, and some commissions of nearly $23K. Career duration is the biggest factor affecting pay for this group, followed by geography. Job satisfaction for Event Planners is high. Unfortunately, some people in this line of work are without benefits — just under a third lack coverage. On the flip side, the larger part have medical insurance and more than half receive dental plans. This overview is based on answers to PayScale's salary questionnaire.

XTotal Pay combines base annual salary or hourly wage, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job. It does not include equity (stock) compensation, cash value of retirement benefits, or the value of other non-cash benefits (e.g. healthcare).

XTotal Pay combines base annual salary or hourly wage, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job. It does not include equity (stock) compensation, cash value of retirement benefits, or the value of other non-cash benefits (e.g. healthcare).

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Job Description for Event Planner

An event planner organizes and facilitates special events, large gatherings, and functions that are often of a celebratory nature. The events planner may be employed by a large corporation that frequently holds such functions for employees or clients. It is often common that businesses in the hospitality industry also have their own event planner on staff to help individuals and businesses execute these special gatherings.

The most important skill of an event planner is organization. To do this job well, the planner must be able to set up events that may be attended by as few as 10 people or as many as thousands. They need to be able to make smart decisions on the needs for food and refreshments to suit the occasion. Each event may have its own needs and requirements, and it is up to the planner to ensure that a feasible schedule is drawn up and followed. It is also important for an event planner to be skilled in negotiating prices for goods, services, and facilities; they should establish and maintain relationships with quality purveyors and providers, while ensuring that all pricing remains competitive.

Depending on the company, an event planner may need at least an associate’s degree in business. Many companies also require some previous experience and facility with setting up large group gatherings. There are also certifications for meeting planning that can be earned, which may be advantageous. Finally, extensive experience in the hospitality industry and strong customer service skills are also encouraged. This position also requires excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. Finally, successful event planners are people able to think quickly on their feet; they must be able to adapt and make smart decisions quickly.

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Popular Skills for Event Planner

This chart shows the most popular skills for this job and what effect each skill has on pay.

Event Planners report using a deep pool of skills on the job. Most notably, skills in Contract Negotiation, Budget Management, Project Management, and Event Management are correlated to pay that is above average, with boosts between 11 percent and 16 percent. At the other end of the pay range are skills like Social Media Marketing and Customer Service. Those proficient in Event Management are, more often than not, also skilled in Budget Management and Contract Negotiation.

Pay by Experience Level for Event Planner

Median of all compensation (including tips, bonus, and overtime) by years of experience.

Event Planners do not generally earn higher incomes from more experience in the field. The average worker who claims fewer than five years of experience earns around $39K. In contrast, however, individuals who report five to 10 years in this occupation see a much larger median of $49K. For Event Planners, 10 to 20 years of experience on the job amounts to an average salary of $53K. Individuals who report more than two decades of experience seem to make only slightly more than folks in the 10-to-20 year range; the more senior group sees median earnings in the comparatively modest ballpark of $57K.

Pay Difference by Location

With a pay rate for Event Planners that is 27 percent greater than the national average, Boston offers a comfortable salary for those in this profession. Event Planners can also look forward to large paychecks in cities like New York (+26 percent), Los Angeles (+23 percent), San Francisco (+22 percent), and Dallas (+16 percent). The smallest paychecks in the market, 6 percent south of the national average, can be found in Austin.